Recent studies suggest that migraine and treatments can negatively affect sexual health of patients.

-Migraine is a disease that affects 5 million Spaniards and is more common in women

-sexual activity itself can trigger headache without that there is no apparent cause that justifies it. This phenomenon can occur at some point in life by up to 1% of the population and affecting, in 80% of cases, men

– many drugs commonly used in migraine and other headaches can negatively affect sexual function. At least 20% of the patients in treatment concerns a clear decrease in sexual desire and up to 45% of them assures having suffered a sexual disorder related to medication in some occasion

-recent studies that have compared with and without migraine patients indicate that migraine may negatively affect multiple domains of the sexual sphere. These studies seem to indicate that the impairment is greater in women than in men

-the majority of sexual problems in patients with migraine and other headaches can be solved, but for this it is essential not to hide them and discuss them openly with your doctor

Spain, 2012-February due to the relationship between headache and sexual health is very broad and complexthe Sociedad Española de Neurología (SEN) dedicated, at its last annual meeting, a day aimed at analysing the relationship between migraine and other headaches and treatments with sexual activity, sexual health and satisfaction of the patients with their sex life.

Disorders most fruit of the relationship between headache and sexuality can be classified into four categories: the emergence of headaches during sexual activity; the reduction of sexual activity due to the headache disability; side effects of a sexual nature of some of the drugs that fight them, such as decreased desire and erectile dysfunction; and greater representation of some disorders of the sexual sphere who suffers from migraine compared with who does. Is important that patients are aware of these problems because, once detected, they can be properly diagnosed. And fortunately they have frequently Resolutive and effective treatment, sexual health of patients with migraine and other headaches can improve significantly ”, says Dr. David Ezpeleta Echávarri, Vocal of the Group’s study of headaches of the Spanish Neurology society.

In rare cases, sexual activity itself can trigger headache without that there is no apparent cause that justifies it. According to data managed by the SEN, this phenomenon can occur at some point in life by up to 1% of the population, but his appearance normal i.e. during most of sex, is very rare, because it is barely 1% of patients treated in neurological consultation specializing in headache. These primary headache associated with sexual activity in 80% of cases affect men. 75% Of the time it’s headaches Orgasmic Paul, characterized by being very intense and sudden headaches that occur just during orgasm, while 25% are headaches preorgásmicas, identifiable by a dull pain in the head and neck associated with contraction of the muscles of the neck or jawwhich gradually develops during sexual activity and increases with excitement. the average duration of these types of headache can range from only 1 minute to 3 hours, but it may be some slight residual pain for several hours more. both types of headache may be accompanied by other manifestations such as nausea (25%)dizziness (15%) or other symptoms such as tachycardia, heat or facial blushing. In the majority of cases is a transient problem that eventually disappear over time ”, explains Dr. Francisco José Molina Martinez, Member of the Group of study of headaches of the society Spanish of Neurology. Finally, the expert recalled the importance of requesting immediate medical help after the first episode to rule an intracranial causes responsible for the symptoms.

On the other hand, found that many drugs commonly used in migraine and other headaches can negatively affect sexual function and therefore the quality of sex life. Aspects such as decreased libido, delay or absence of orgasm or even impotence problems have been associated with the use of certain medications. According to an exploratory work that the SEN coordinated a few years ago, it was estimated that at least 20% of the patients in treatment referred to a clear decrease in sexual desire and up to 45% of them claimed to have suffered a sexual disorder related to medication in some occasion. For that reason it is important that those patients who have experienced a problem of this type, so consult with your doctor it is possible to change the treatment ”, points out Dr. Samuel Díaz Insa, Coordinator of the Group of study of headaches of the Spanish Neurology society. Dr. Díaz Insa stresses that data from this study are very preliminary and that in no case can be extrapolated to the general population.

Cluster headaches are entities very disabling, at least in patients with frequent crises, preventing the person making a social life, and consequently their quality of sex life may be affected. The results of the few studies to date suggest that those who suffer from migraine and tension type headache experience dysfunction in multiple domains of sexuality as compared to healthy controls. These studies, which have been measured sexual function and satisfaction with sex life through specific scales, seem to indicate that the impairment is greater in women than in men.

Most important research in this relationship between headache and sexuality is without doubt that interest to the interrelationships between the two factors, largely unknown. However, some experts are positioning and indicating ways of study. In theory, it is possible that a poorly controlled and frequent headache affects sexual function, and vice versa, that an unsatisfactory sex life may be one of the factors that make headaches are chronic. In this vicious circle is probably involved the depression, a subject which has not yet been investigated, is essential to understand these relationships. ”, concludes Dr. David Ezpeleta.